Sling TV just made cutting a cord a little easier, as Dish Network's widely anticipated streaming service added AMC to its core package of channels.
AMC is home to such hits as Mad Men, Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul, and The Walking Dead which, for me, made cutting cable difficult. However, now that it's included in the $20 per month service, Sling now offers just about every major stations that I watch. As revealed last month, Sling's initial core offering includes ESPN, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, CNN, El Ray, and Galavision — all for just $20 per month. The basic deal also includes Watch ESPN streaming.
Sling TV also vows to announce plans to add the AMC parent company's portfolio which includes BBC America, BBC World News, IFC, SundanceTV, and WeTV.
In addition to the core offering, Sling also unveiled a Sports Extra package. For an additional $5 a month, sports aficionados can get their extra fix with SEC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Goal Line, Universal Sports, Univision Deportes, and beIN Sports.
“There has been a remarkable expression of consumer interest since we first announced Sling TV one month ago,” Sling TV CEO Roger Lynch said. “We believe Sling TV is a game changing service that enhances the existing television landscape.”
Last month, it was announced that Xbox One will be the first dedicated gaming console to host the television streaming service, although Sling TV will also be available on Roku, Windows, Amazon Fire TV, and a number of other devices at launch.
With AMC now added to the mix, Sling TV just made a major push to take down traditional cable giants. I suppose if you've already cut cable, then this provides a cheaper alternative to return to traditional television watching. But the real question is, will current cable subscribers find enough value in Sling TV's offerings to make the switch worth it? Starting at $20 per month, it doesn't offer me that much savings compared to my current deal with AT&T. The bulk of my bill is actually the cost of internet.
